The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. has admonished politicians to allow the judiciary to perform its function without distractions.

 

 

A statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan, by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, quotes Ariwoola as said on Saturday at a reception organized in his honor by the government. 

 

 

Ariwoola equally warned judicial officers to leave politics for politicians.

 

 

“I want to admonish the politicians to leave the Judiciary alone for us to function. Let them do their own thing while we do ours too. Law is not static, what we apply is the law as it is made,” he said.

 

 

The CJN appreciated Gov. Makinde for honoring him and pledged that he would not let Nigerians down.

 

 

In his remarks, Gov. Makinde said his administration would continue to promote the independence of the judiciary in the state.

 

 

Makinde said that his administration had created the enabling environment for the judicial arm of government to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.

 

 

The governor, who acknowledged that the Judiciary is the ‘bastion’ of hope for the common man, said further, “we will continue to allow the judiciary to function independently.

 

 

“The judiciary will be allowed to continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.”

 

 

He expressed delight at the fact that the state had produced Nigeria’s fifth citizen in the hierarchy.

 

 

Makinde noted that it was the first time in the history of Nigeria that Oyo State would produce the CJN, saying the development has heralded many pacesetting achievements for the state.

 

 

“I am just glad and overjoyed that we are able to have this get-together to celebrate one of our own.

 

 

“I am thankful to God Almighty for this day and I see it as the beginning of many Pacesetter things that will be happening in Oyo State.’’

 

 

The event had in attendance Justices of the Supreme Court; Governors of Rivers, Nyesom Wike; Abia, Okezie Ikpeazu; Benue, Samuel Ortom; and Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

 

 

Others were the leadership of the Oyo State Judiciary; legal luminaries, top officials of the Oyo State government, and traditional rulers.